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Letter from America Episodes

  1.

    A Giant Step for Womankind

    Union resistance to trading with China, reminds Mr Cooke of the invention of dishwashers.

  2. Historic Turning Points

    Alistair Cooke recalls when the private life of a politician was a taboo topic.

  3. The China Bill and other Kickshaws

    Alistair Cooke reflects on China's trading privileges and a law against sizeism.

  4. The Outrageous David Merrick

    Alistair Cooke remembers the colourful life of American theatre character David Merrick.

  5. A Sordid Struggle

    Alistair Cooke examines the legal battle fought by Cuban Elian Gonzalez for asylum.

  6. Cycle of Boom and Bust

    After a stock exchange drop of 600 points, Alistair Cook remembers other booms and busts.

  7. The Year of the Census

    Alistair Cooke examines whether questions on the US census invade individuals' privacy.

  8. Never-failing, Ever-soaring, High-flying, Hi-techs

    Alistair Cook wonders what alternative sources will be found to create energy.

  9. The Most Significant Event of Recent Times

    Alistair Cooke considers the effects of the Chernobyl nuclear power station explosion.

  10. A National Figure of Charm and Pity

    Alistair Cooke considers the sole survivor of a capsized boat full of illegal immigrants.

  11. Buying Judges and Acquiring a Patron Saint

    Alistair Cook examines Irish heritage in America and the celebrations of St.Patrick's Day.

  12. A Brief Joust and Tumble with Sir Galahad

    Alistair Cook looks at the rise and fall of Senator John McCain.

  13. Double diplomatic turmoil

    America's tricky relationship with Taiwan.

  14. Fuelling Inflation

    Alistair Cooke considers how oil price may affect the future of the US more than politics.

  15. Charles Schulz: A Great and Good Man

    Alistair Cooke commemorates the life of Charles Schultz, the creator of Charlie Brown.

  16. Fickle Crushes and Volatile Markets

    Alistair Cook remembers a forgotten lesson: the folly of economic prophecy.

  17. Conventional Wisdom

    Alistair Cook reflects on the history of how political parties choose their candidates.

  18. A Gentleman but not a Scholar

    Alistair Cook reviews how the United Nations reacted to a scolding from Senator J Helms.

  19. What are Animals put on Earth For?

    The news that "Fur is back", leads Alistair Cook to explore why it never really went away.

  20. The Death of the Old Media

    Alistair Cook uses Rip Van Winkle to understand the Time Warner and America Online deal.

  21. A Breathtaking Global Tour and a Resignation

    Alistair Cooke discusses Boris Yeltsin's resignation and Mr Putin's praise of the KGB.

  22. On Y2K Alert

    Alistair Cooke discusses the US Government鈥檚 precautions against the millennium bug.

  23. Park Avenue's colourful Christmas

    Festive fairy lights remind Alistair Cooke of a time when Christmas was less than holy.

  24. Old Sentiment and New Honesty

    In a vintage Letter from America from 1967, Alistair Cooke tells a Christmas story.

  25. Renewed Concern Over Secondhand Smoke

    Passive smoking fears make Alistair Cooke evaluate the cleanliness of the air around us.

  26. The Last Demo Circus of the Year

    Alistair Cooke discusses the protests against the World Trade Organisation convention.

  27. The Most American of All American Festivals

    Whilst turkeys roast and yams bake, Alistair Cooke reflects on traditions of Thanksgiving.

  28. Fortress America and Beloved Symbols of Britain

    Alistair Cooke criticises Bill Clinton鈥檚 appearance at Yitzhak Rabin鈥檚 memorial service.

  29. Democracy in Action

    Alistair Cooke commemorates the 10th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin wall.

  30. At the Centre of Things

    Whilst visiting San Francisco, Alistair Cooke muses on the ego-centric lives of city folk.

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